Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in East Orange, New Jersey (May 2026)
Through May 2026, East Orange, New Jersey CDL drivers earn $2,652 per week on average. The median is $2,000; the distribution by hiring type and the active-posting count both follow. Based on 1,397 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 31% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $2,072. New Jersey is the primary Northeast freight gateway through Port Newark / Elizabeth — the busiest container port on the East Coast — with the NJ Turnpike (I-95) and dense intermodal facilities serving the New York metro market.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
How East Orange, New Jersey compares to New Jersey
| East Orange, New Jersey | New Jersey | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,652 | $2,392 | +11% |
| Take-truck-home | 83% | 78% | +5 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 67% | 62% | +5 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 82% | 74% | +8 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where East Orange, New Jersey differs most from New Jersey — 11% above statewide.
How CDL pay breaks down in East Orange, New Jersey
Across active CDL postings in East Orange, New Jersey this month, pay varies meaningfully by hiring type. The breakdown below shows the average and median weekly pay for each.
| Hiring type | Avg/wk | Median/wk | Active postings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent Contractor (1099) | $2,227 | $2,042 | 630 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,583 | $1,521 | 433 |
| Owner Operator | $7,270 | $7,500 | 334 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
How drivers spend their time on the road in East Orange, New Jersey
Of active CDL postings in East Orange, New Jersey this month, 11% are regional and 82% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 7%.
Across East Orange, New Jersey CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 30% dedicated, 83% take-truck-home, 67% pet-friendly, 64% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in New Jersey
New Jersey is the primary Northeast freight gateway through Port Newark-Elizabeth — the busiest container port on the East Coast — with the NJ Turnpike (I-95) and dense intermodal facilities feeding the New York metro market. Drayage out of the port is the largest single CDL segment. Cost of living is high; New Jersey state income tax is high and graduated (peaks above 10%). Bridge tolls and truck-route restrictions on the Garden State Parkway (no trucks allowed) and certain Hudson crossings add planning overhead. NJ Turnpike traffic is consistently in the worst US tier.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in East Orange, New Jersey
- Best owner-operator companies in East Orange, New Jersey
- CDL driver salary in New Jersey
The methodology behind the rankings
The score is built from four buckets. Thirty percent compensation, drawn from real active job postings and modified by bonus and settlement structure. Twenty-five percent safety, from FMCSA SAFER. Twenty-five percent benefits, scored hiring-type-aware. Twenty percent operational performance, drawn from how carriers actually behave toward applicants. Updated May 2026.